Camouflage material, for a hunting blind

ABSTRACT

Mesh material is presented for a hunting blind with a camouflage pattern printed on a first side and a second side with a color coating. The mesh material is partially transmissive such that a portion of incident radiation from an exterior of the hunting blind is reflected back into the exterior, a portion of incident radiation from an interior of the hunting blind is transmitted through the mesh material to the exterior and an intensity ratio of the reflected portion to the transmitted portion during daylight conditions is above a threshold value such that the exterior of the hunting blind is visible from the interior and the interior of the hunting blind is not visible from an exterior of the hunting blind. A hunting blind is also provided that includes a frame including frame members and panels of the mesh material attached to the frame members.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Hunting blinds are used to conceal a hunter's location as gameapproaches. Although conventional hunting blinds have been developed,they have several drawbacks. For example, conventional hunting blindshave limited structural integrity and thus are not capable ofwithstanding elements of the outdoors. Additionally, conventionalhunting blinds feature structures with closed panels that providelimited ventilation. Thus, these hunting blinds have limited use in highhumidity hunting climates.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment of the invention, mesh material of interwoven fabricis provided for a hunting blind including a camouflage pattern printedon a first side and a second side with a dark color coating, the secondside opposite to the first side. The mesh material is partiallytransmissive such that a portion of incident radiation from an exteriorof the hunting blind is reflected off the camouflage pattern on thefirst side back into the exterior, a portion of incident radiation froman interior of the hunting blind is transmitted through the meshmaterial to the exterior and wherein a ratio of an intensity of thereflected portion to an intensity of the transmitted portion duringdaylight conditions is above a threshold value such that the exterior ofthe hunting blind is visible through the mesh material from the interiorof the hunting blind and the interior of the hunting blind is notvisible through the mesh material from the exterior of the hunting blindduring daylight conditions.

In another embodiment of the invention, a hunting blind is providedincluding a frame with a plurality of frame members and panels of meshmaterial attached to the frame members that cover an area between theframe members to define an interior of the hunting blind.

In another embodiment of the invention, a mesh material is provided thatis capable of being secured to a frame of a hunting blind. The meshmaterial includes a camouflage pattern printed on a first side of themesh material that faces an exterior of the hunting blind and a singlecolor coating on a second side of the mesh material that faces aninterior of the hunting blind.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a first side of mesh material inaccordance with aspects of embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 1B is a perspective view of a second side of mesh material of FIG.1A;

FIG. 1C is a side cutaway view of the hunting blind of FIG. 2 depictinga ray diagram of light incident on the hunting blind from an interior ofthe hunting blind;

FIG. 1D is a side cutaway view of the hunting blind of FIG. 2 depictinga ray diagram of light incident on the hunting blind from an exterior ofthe hunting blind;

FIG. 2 is a side view of a hunting blind in accordance with aspects ofembodiments of the invention;

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of an open back extruded aluminum memberused to form a frame of the hunting blind of FIG. 2;

FIG. 3B is a perspective view of a hollow extruded aluminum member usedto form the frame of the hunting blind of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a view of an interconnection between extruded members and meshmaterial in the hunting blind of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a back view of the hunting blind of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a perspective front view of the hunting blind of FIG. 2 withan open bow window;

FIG. 7 is a perspective back view of the hunting blind of FIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is a view of an exterior of the hunting blind through meshmaterial from an interior of the hunting blind of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 9 is a side view of a hunting blind in accordance with aspects ofembodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A more particular description of the invention briefly described abovewill be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof that areillustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawingsdepict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not thereforeto be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will bedescribed and explained.

The inventors of the present invention designed an improved huntingblind that overcomes the above noted drawbacks of conventional huntingblinds. In one example, the inventors of the present inventionrecognized that conventional hunting blinds have limited structuralintegrity and thus are not capable of withstanding elements of theoutdoors. To overcome this noted drawback, the inventors of the presentinvention designed a hunting blind with a frame that featuresinterconnected extruded aluminum members that provide structuralintegrity to withstand elements of the outdoors. While some embodimentsof the present invention disclose a hunting blind with a frame includingrigid interconnected members, the present invention is not limited tothis arrangement and also features a hunting blind with a frameincluding flexible frame members. In another example, the inventors ofthe present invention recognized that conventional hunting blinds areformed with closed panels that provide limited ventilation and thus havelimited use in high humidity hunting climates. To overcome this noteddrawback, the inventors of the present invention designed a huntingblind with panels of mesh material that simultaneously provideventilation to an interior of the hunting blind and camouflage theinterior of the hunting blind.

In selecting an appropriate mesh material to form the improved huntingblind, the inventors of the present invention recognized thatconventional mesh material used in connection with hunting has notabledrawbacks. For example, the inventors recognized that such conventionalmesh material easily catches and tears on branches as an individualwearing the mesh material moves through dense woods. In another example,the inventors recognized that such conventional mesh material isrelatively light and transparent and thus would not effectivelycamouflage the interior of the hunting blind. To overcome these noteddrawbacks, the inventors of the present invention selected a meshmaterial that is heavier and/or more durable than the conventional meshmaterial used in connection with hunting. This mesh materialadvantageously provides an effective camouflage to the interior of thehunting blind and is more durable thereby extending a projected lifetimeof the hunting blind.

Although some embodiments of the present invention discuss the use ofmesh material in the context of hunting blinds, the present invention isnot limited to this context and includes all uses of camouflage materialin the context of hunting. In other embodiments, the camouflage material(e.g. mesh material 26) can be used to form a ground blind or stake outblind that is mounted in the ground to conceal an individual positionedbehind the blind. In still other embodiments, the camouflage materialcan be used to form windows or tree sand skirts. For purposes of thisinvention, “camouflage material” means material that is used to coverpeople, equipment and/or installations, such as the hunting blindsdiscussed herein, to make them blend in with their surroundings.

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a first side 27 of mesh material 26 inaccordance with aspects of embodiments of the invention. FIG. 1B is aperspective view of a second side 31 of mesh material 26 of FIG. 1A thatis opposite to the first side 27. Panels of mesh material 26 are used toform an improved hunting blind, as discussed below. As shown in FIG. 1A,the first side 27 of the mesh material 26 features a camouflage pattern29. In an example embodiment, the camouflage pattern 29 is based on anexterior environment where the hunting blind will be positioned.

In an example embodiment, the camouflage pattern 29 is based on aphotograph of the exterior environment of the hunting blind, and thecamouflage pattern 29 can be printed on the first side 27 using ink. Asshown in FIG. 1B, the second side 31 of the mesh material 26 includes adark color coating, such as dark colored ink 33. However, in otherembodiments, any color coating, such as any colored ink can be coated onthe second side 31, including white colored coating, blue coloredcoating, red colored coating, yellow colored coating, green coloredcoating, orange colored coating and purple colored coating. In someembodiments, an exterior surface of the second side 31 is coated withthe dark colored ink 33. In other embodiments, dark colored meshmaterial 26 is used and thus the second side 31 does not need to becoated with dark colored ink 33. In this embodiment, only the first side27 of the mesh material 26 needs to be printed with the camouflagepattern 29. In some embodiments, for purposes of this description, “darkcolored ink” means a colored ink that absorbs a substantial portion ofincident visible light. In an example embodiment, the dark colored inkabsorbs 50% or more of incident visible light. In another exampleembodiment, the dark colored ink absorbs 80% or more of incident visiblelight, for example. In other embodiments, for purposes of thisdescription, “dark colored ink” means one or more of black colored ink,brown colored ink, grey colored ink, dark black colored ink, dark browncolored ink, dark grey colored ink, light brown colored ink, light greycolored ink, dark red colored ink, dark green colored ink, dark bluecolored ink, dark purple colored ink, dark orange colored ink, darkyellow colored ink, or any combination thereof. In still otherembodiments, “dark colored ink” means one or more color coded inksprovided by ink manufacturers, as discussed below.

In an example embodiment, panels of the mesh material 26 are oriented onthe hunting blind such that the first side 27 is directed toward theexterior of the hunting blind and the second side 31 is directed towardthe interior of the hunting blind. During daylight conditions, theexterior of the hunting blind is visible from the interior of thehunting blind, but the interior of the hunting blind is not visible fromthe exterior of the hunting blind. FIG. 1C is a side cutaway view of thehunting blind 10 of FIG. 2 depicting a ray diagram of visible lightincident on the hunting blind 10 from an interior 50 of the huntingblind 10. A hunter 102 is positioned in the interior 50 of the huntingblind 10 and game 104 (e.g. deer) is positioned in an exterior 48 of thehunting blind 10. In some embodiments, the hunting blind 10 is usedduring daylight conditions, when the sun 106 emits radiation 116. Thehunter 102, game 104 and sun 106 are not part of the hunting blind 10.As depicted in FIG. 1C, incident radiation 110 a from the hunter 102 isincident on the second side 31 of the mesh material 26. A first portion111 a of the incident radiation 110 a is absorbed by the coating of thesecond side 31. In some embodiments, the dark colored ink of the secondside 31 is selected to maximize the absorbed portion 111 a of theincident radiation 110 a. In other embodiments, an intensity ratio ofthe absorbed portion 111 a to the incident radiation 110 a for thesecond side 31 is greater than an intensity ratio of the absorbedportion 111 b to the incident radiation 110 b for the first side 27. Asecond portion 112 a of the incident radiation 110 a is reflected offthe second side 31 back into the hunting blind interior 50. A thirdportion 114 a of the incident radiation 110 a is transmitted through themesh material 26 to the game 104. As further depicted in FIG. 1C,radiation 116 from the sun 106 is incident on the camouflage pattern 29on the first side 27 of the mesh material 26. A portion 118 of theincident radiation 116 is reflected off the camouflage pattern 29 to thegame 104. In some embodiments, an intensity of the reflected portion 118of light from the camouflage pattern 29 is much greater than anintensity of the transmitted portion 114 a of light from the interior 50(e.g. hunter 102). Since the intensity of the light from the camouflagepattern 29 is much greater than the intensity of the light from theinterior 50 (e.g. hunter 102), the interior 50 of the hunting blind 10is not visible from the exterior 48 of the hunting blind 10. Forpurposes of this description, “much greater” is based on the thresholdvalue of the intensity ratio discussed below. Instead, the camouflagepattern 29 is visible from the exterior 48 and conceals the interior 50of the hunting blind 10. In an example embodiment, the radiationdiscussed above is in one or more regions of the visible portion (e.g.400-700 nm) of the optical spectrum that overlaps with a detectionspectrum of game 104. In other embodiments, the radiation discussedabove is in a detection spectrum of game 104, including one or moreregions of the visible portion and ultra-violet (UV) portions of thespectrum. In one embodiment, the camouflage pattern 29 on the first side27 and colored coating on the second side 31 are selected such that aratio of the intensity of the reflected portion 118 to the intensity ofthe transmitted portion 114 a during daylight conditions is more than athreshold value such that the interior 50 of the hunting blind 10 is notvisible from the exterior 48 of the hunting blind 10. In one embodiment,the threshold value is 1. In other embodiments, the threshold value is2. In still other embodiments, the threshold value is 5. In still otherembodiments, the threshold value is 10. In still other embodiments, thethreshold value is 100.

FIG. 1D is a side cutaway view of the hunting blind 10 of FIG. 2depicting a ray diagram of visible light incident on the hunting blind10 from the exterior 48 of the hunting blind 10. As depicted in FIG. 1D,incident radiation 110 b from the game 104 is incident on the first side27 of the mesh material 26. A first portion 111 b of the incidentradiation 110 b is absorbed by the camouflage pattern 29 on the firstside 27. A second portion 112 b of the incident radiation 110 b isreflected off the first side 27 back to the exterior 48. A third portion114 b of the incident radiation 110 b is transmitted through the meshmaterial 26 to the interior 50 (e.g. hunter 102). As further depicted inFIG. 1D, radiation 115 from an object 122 (e.g. tree) in the exterior 48is incident on the camouflage pattern 29 on the first side 27 of themesh material 26. A portion 120 of the incident radiation 115 istransmitted through the mesh material 26 to the interior 50 (e.g. hunter102). In some embodiments, an intensity of the transmitted portion 114 bof light from the game 104 is approximately equal to an intensity of thetransmitted portion 120 from the object 122. For purposes of thisdescription, “approximately equal” is based on a range of intensityratio, as discussed below. Since the intensity of the light from thegame 104 is approximately equal to the intensity of the light from theobject 122, the exterior 48 of the hunting blind 10 is visible from theinterior 50 of the hunting blind 10. In an example embodiment, distinctforms (e.g. game 104, object 122, etc.) in the exterior 48 are visiblydistinguishable, as viewed from the interior 50 of the hunting blind 10.In this embodiment, the hunter 102 can visibly distinguish the game 104from other parts of the exterior 48 (e.g. object 122) since theintensity of the light from the game 104 is approximately equal to theintensity of light from other parts of the exterior 48 (e.g. object122). In one embodiment, the camouflage pattern 29 on the first side 27and colored coating on the second side 31 are selected such that a ratioof the intensity of the transmitted portion 114 b to the intensity ofthe transmitted portion 120 during daylight conditions is approximatelyequal to 1. In other embodiments, the ratio is in a range from 0.9-1.1.In still other embodiments, the ratio is in a range from 0.8-1.2. Instill other embodiments, the ratio is in a range from 0.5-2. In stillother embodiments, the ratio is in a range from 0.2-5. In still otherembodiments, the ratio is in a range from 0.1-10.

Different types of ink and printing techniques can be used to print thecamouflage pattern 29 on the first side 27 and the dark colored ink 33on the second side 31. Each ink includes a colorant (e.g. dye orpigment) and a carrier liquid (e.g. solvent). A defining quality of eachink is the process used to adhere the colorant to the mesh material 26.

In some embodiments, a solvent based ink is used to print the camouflagepattern 29 on the first side 27 and the dark colored ink 33 on thesecond side 31. Solvent ink refers to an oil-based solution that holds acolorant (e.g. pigment), and is advantageously fade-resistant,waterproof and resistant to abrasion. During a printing process of thesolvent-based ink, the solvent ink (i.e. colorant and solvent) isprinted on the mesh material 26, after which the solvent evaporates oris flashed off with heaters on the printer, leaving the colorant behind.In an embodiment, the solvent based ink resists fading for five to sevenyears. In one embodiment, a region where the printing is performed isvented to exhaust volatile organic compounds (VOC) that are presentduring the solvent printing process.

In other embodiments, an eco-solvent based ink is used to print thecamouflage pattern 29 on the first side 27 and the dark colored ink 33on the second side 31. In an example embodiment, eco solvent ink is usedthat is sold under the ECO SOL MAX® brand name. Eco-solvent ink is madeusing ether extracts taken from refined mineral oil. The eco-solvent inkprinting process is similar to solvent ink printing, with the exceptionthat eco-solvent ink takes longer to dry and venting is not requiredsince VOC are not present during the printing process. The eco-solventink can be removed by alcohol and glass cleaner and accordingly, thedurability of eco-solvent ink is reduced as compared to solvent ink. Insome embodiments, eco-solvent ink resists fading for two to three years,which is reduced from the period of solvent ink. In an embodiment,manufacturers offer eco-solvent inks in various color sets. In anexample embodiment, manufacturers offer color coded inks using letters,including cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), black (K), light cyan (LC),light magenta (LM), light black (LK), white, silver and metallic. In anexample embodiment, one or more of the black (K), light black (LK),silver and metallic colored inks can be used to print the dark coloredink 33 on the second side 31.

In other embodiments, a latex based ink is used to print the camouflagepattern 29 on the first side 27 and the dark colored ink 33 on thesecond side 31. Latex ink is a pigmented, water-based ink that uses anaqueous-dispersed polymer. As with the eco-solvent based ink, there isno VOC and accordingly, no venting is required during the latex inkprinting process. In one embodiment, the camouflage pattern 29 on thefirst side 27 and dark colored ink 33 on the second side 31 comes out ofthe printer completely cured. In some embodiments, radiant heaters withairflow are incorporated into the printer to evaporate the latex inkliquid, which causes the latex polymer particles to coalesce, forming apolymer layer that adheres to the mesh material 26 and encapsulates thepigment. In other embodiments, the printer uses ceramic radiated platesfor a constant and even heat source.

In other embodiments, an ultra-violet (UV) based ink is used to printthe camouflage pattern 29 on the first side 27 and the dark colored ink33 on the second side 31. UV based ink includes oligomer and monomeracrylate resins and photo initiators. During the printing process, afterthe ink is applied to the mesh material 26, the ink is exposed to UVradiation such that free radicals are released that cause thepolymerization of the compound to harden to a dry ink film. The pigmentis then encapsulated within this film. In some embodiments, the UVradiation is applied with a light emitting diode (LED) source (i.e.low-heat, long-life) or a mercury arc lamp (i.e. higher heat, shorterlife). Unlike the solvent based ink, the UV based ink does not evaporateand instead is “cured” when the UV light system of the printer passesoverhead. Due to a low viscosity of the UV based inks and since UV basedinks do not penetrate the mesh material 26, the camouflage pattern 29 onthe first side 27 and dark colored ink 33 on the second side 31 can beadvantageously printed using a reduced volume of UV based ink, ascompared to solvent based ink.

In some embodiments, the mesh material 26 is a mesh banner material, forexample. In one embodiment, the mesh material 26 is made of polyester.In an example embodiment, the mesh material 26 is made of polyestermaterial that is coated with a PVC (polyvinyl chloride) film or backing.In an example embodiment, the mesh material 26 is a vinyl coatedpolyester made of polyester scrim, a bonding or adhesive agent and anexterior PVC coating or backing. The scrim supports the coating andprovides tensile strength, elongation, tear strength and dimensionalstability of the resulting fabric. In some embodiments, vinyl-coatedpolyester is manufactured in large panels by heat-sealing an over-lapseam with either a radio-frequency welder or a hot-air sealer. In otherembodiments, the mesh material 26 is made from a textile or clothmaterial that is a flexible material and includes a network of naturalor artificial fibers (e.g. yarn or thread). In an example embodiment,the mesh material 26 is formed by yarn that is produced by spinning rawfibers of wool, flax, cotton or other material producing long strands.In other embodiments, the mesh material 26 is formed by textiles thatare formed by weaving, knitting, crocheting, knotting or felting. Instill other embodiments, the mesh material 26 is formed using synthetictextile material, including one or more of polyester, aramid fiber,acrylic fiber, nylon, spandex, olefin fiber, ingeo, lurex and carbonfiber. In another embodiment, the mesh material 26 features a PVC(polyvinyl chloride) backing. The PVC backing creates an air-tight printsurface to prevent ink spraying through the mesh material 26 and helpsto feed the mesh material 26 through the printer during the printingprocess. The PVC backing is removed from the mesh material afterprinting, such as by peeling the PVC backing off the polyester material.In another example embodiment, the mesh material 26 has a weight densityof approximately 8 ounce (oz) per square yard (yd²). In another exampleembodiment, the mesh material 26 is a coated polyester scrim mesh bannermaterial. In an example embodiment, the mesh material 26 allows airflowin a range of 30-40%, such as 37%, for example, where airflow is definedas a ratio of a velocity of outgoing air from the mesh material 26 to avelocity of incident air onto the mesh material 26. In another exampleembodiment, the mesh material 26 has a tensile strength of approximately160×160 pounds/inch and/or a tear strength of approximately 34×34pounds/inch. In another example embodiment, the mesh material 26 has alow temperature crack threshold of approximately −22 degrees Fahrenheit(F). In another example embodiment, the mesh material 26 is fungusresistant and flame resistant, NFPA701, title 19, CSFM, ASTM E84.

FIG. 2 is a side view of a first side 32 of a hunting blind 10 inaccordance with aspects of embodiments of the invention. The huntingblind 10 includes a frame 12 with one or more frame members, such asaluminum extruded members 14, 16 that are interconnected together. In anexample embodiment, the aluminum extruded member 14 is a 2″×2″ closedhollow member and the aluminum extruded member 16 is a 1″×2″ open backmember. FIG. 3A is a perspective view of an open back extruded aluminummember 16 that forms the frame 12 of the hunting blind 10 of FIG. 2. Asshown in FIG. 3A, the extruded aluminum member 16 includes one splinegroove 18 to receive a spline, as discussed below. FIG. 3B is aperspective view of a hollow extruded aluminum member 14 that forms theframe 12 of the hunting blind 10 of FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 3B, theextruded aluminum member 14 includes a pair of spline grooves 18 toreceive respective splines, as discussed below. In an exampleembodiment, 3″ bronze sheet screws are internally screwed to attachinterconnecting extruded members 14, 16. In an example embodiment, 10¾″text screws are used to attach clips in interconnected areas of theextruded members 14, 16 that are not internally screwed together.

The hunting blind 10 also includes panels 24 of the mesh material 26that are secured between aluminum extruded members 14, 16. In someembodiments, the panels 24 of the mesh material 26 are attached to themembers 14, 16 of the frame 12 to cover an area between the members 14,16 and define an interior of the hunting blind 10. In an exampleembodiment, the camouflage pattern 29 on the mesh material 26 is basedon the exterior 48 of the hunting blind 10. FIG. 4 is a view of aninterconnection between extruded members 14, 16 and panels 24 of meshmaterial 26 in the hunting blind 10 of FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 4, aspline 20 is provided along a perimeter of the panel 24 and the spline20 is positioned within one of the spline grooves 18 of the extrudedmember 14, to secure the panel 24 along the length of the extrudedmember 14. In an example embodiment, the spline 20 is a rubber spline.In some embodiments, the spline 20 secures a first side of the panel 24within a spline groove 18 of a first extruded member 14, 16 and thespline 20 further secures a second side of the panel 24 within a splinegroove 18 of a second extruded member 14, 16, where the first and secondextruded members 14, 16 are interconnected to form the frame 12. Infurther embodiments, the spline 20 secures a third side of the panel 24within a spline groove 18 of a third extruded member 14, 16 and thespline 20 secures a fourth side of the panel 24 within a spline groove18 of a fourth extruded member 14, 16, where the first, second, thirdand fourth extruded members 14, 16 are interconnected to form the frame12. In other embodiments, a respective spline 20 is used to secure eachside of the panel 24 within a respective spline groove of the extrudedmember.

FIG. 5 is a back view of the hunting blind 10 of FIG. 2. A roof 28 ofthe hunting blind 10 includes roof panels 30. In an example embodiment,the roof panels 30 have a high-density polystyrene core and arelaminated on both sides by stucco textured aluminum. In an exampleembodiment, the roof panels 30 are 2″ Elite® aluminum panels. Anchorbolts 60 are secured through an extruded member 14 and the roof panels30 at each corner 62 of the hunting blind 10. In an example embodiment,the anchor bolts 60 include a stainless steel eyebolt that is attachedwith a pair of washers and a hex nut. In an example embodiment, 3″bronze sheet screws (not shown) with neoprene washers are used to attachthe roof panels 30 to the extruded members 14 that extend around aperimeter of an undersurface of the roof panels 30.

The hunting blind 10 includes one or more doors and windows. Each doorand window includes one or more panels 24 of mesh material 26 that formsan interior of the door or window and is interconnected to extrudedmembers 14, 16 that form the frame of each door and window. As shown inFIG. 2, the first side 32 of the hunting blind 10 includes a window 40that can be opened (inward to the interior of the blind 10) to provide ashooting position upon the approach of prey from the first side 32.Additionally, as shown in FIG. 5, a back side 38 of the hunting blind 10includes a window 42 that provides a shooting position upon the approachof prey from the back side 38. FIG. 6 is a perspective front view of afront side 36 of the hunting blind 10 of FIG. 2 with an open bow window46 that provides an arching position upon the approach of prey from thefront side 36. In an example embodiment, dimensions of the windows 40,42 are 26″ (width)×12″ (height), for example. In an example embodiment,dimensions of the bow window 46 is 13″ (width)×46″ (height), forexample. Additionally, as shown in FIG. 5, a back side 38 of the huntingblind 10 includes a door 44 that can open (either inward or outward) forentry to the interior of the hunting blind 10. In an example embodiment,dimensions of the door 44 are 30″ (width)×66″ (height), for example. Inan example embodiment, the windows 40, 42, 46 or door 44 can becustomized, in terms of length or width. In an example embodiment, thedoor 44 can be customized to have a width up to 48″. In an exampleembodiment, the windows 40, 42, 46 and door 44 have a frame made ofbronze extruded aluminum members. The above numerical dimensions of thewindows 40, 42, 46 and door 44 are merely exemplary and the dimensionsof the windows 40, 42, 46 and door 44 are not limited to any specificdimension. FIG. 7 depicts another view of the hunting blind 10,including the windows 40, 42 and door 44.

In an example embodiment of the frame 12, the extruded members 14 are2″×2″. In another example embodiment, a height of the frame 12 at thefront side 36 is approximately 6′ and a width of the frame 12 at thefront side 36 and back side 38 is approximately 5′4″. As previouslydiscussed, panels 24 of mesh material 26 are secured within the framesof each window 42, 46, to form the hunting blind 10. These numericaldimensions are merely exemplary and the frame 12 is not limited to thesenumerical dimensions.

In an example embodiment of the frame 12, the extruded members 14 are2″×2″ and the extruded members 16 are 1″×2″. In another exampleembodiment, a height of the frame 12 at the sides 32, 34 varies from afirst height (e.g. 5′10″) to a second height (e.g. 6′) that is greaterthan the first height, to provide a pitch in the roof 28 for rainwaterrunoff. Additionally, a width of the frame 12 at the sides 32, 34 isapproximately 5′. As previously discussed, panels 24 of mesh material 26are secured within the frames of each window 40, to form the huntingblind 10. These numerical dimensions re merely exemplary and the frame12 is not limited to these numerical dimensions.

FIG. 8 is a view of the exterior 48 of the hunting blind 10 throughpanels 24 of mesh material 26 from an interior 50 of the hunting blind10 of FIG. 2. The second side 31 of the mesh material 26 faces theinterior 50 of the hunting blind 10. The mesh material 26 is partiallytransmissive such that during daylight conditions, the exterior 48 ofthe hunting blind 10 is visible from the interior 50 of the huntingblind 10 yet the interior 50 of the hunting blind 10 is not visible fromthe exterior 48 of the hunting blind 10. As depicted in the view of FIG.9 since the panels 24 of mesh material 26 are provided on each side ofthe hunting blind 10, the hunting blind 10 provides a 360 degree view ofthe exterior 48 through the panels 24 in each side of the hunting blind10.

FIG. 9 is a side view of a hunting blind 10′ in accordance with aspectsof embodiments of the invention. The hunting blind 10′ includes a frame12′ that is formed of interconnected flexible frame members 14′, 16′. Inan example embodiment, the hunting blind 10′ has a structure that issimilar to a pop-up tent. As with the hunting blind 10, the huntingblind 10′ includes panels of the mesh material 26 that are securedbetween the flexible frame members 14′, 16′. However, the panels differfrom the panels 24 of the hunting blind 10, due to a variation in thespacing between the flexible frame members 14′, 16′ of the frame 12′, ascompared to the spacing between the frame members 14, 16 of the frame12. Thus, although the frame 12 of the hunting blind 10 is a fixed frameincluding interconnected extruded members 14, 16, the frame 12 of thehunting blind is not limited to a fixed frame and may include a pop-upframe 12′ with foldable frame members 14′, 16′. In an exampleembodiment, the pop-up frame includes panels of the mesh material 26secured between the foldable frame members 14′, 16′ such that when theframe 12′ is moved from a folded position to a deployed position, theexterior of the hunting blind 10′ is visible through the panels from theinterior of the hunting blind yet the interior of the hunting blind 10′is not visible through the panels from the exterior of the hunting blind10′.

While certain embodiments of the present invention have been shown anddescribed herein, such embodiments are provided by way of example only.Numerous variations, changes and substitutions will occur to those ofskill in the art without departing from the invention herein.Accordingly, it is intended that the invention be limited only by thespirit and scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A camouflage structure comprising: a pop-up frameincluding a plurality of flexible frame members, said plurality offlexible frame members comprising at least two spaced apart framemembers along a side of the camouflage structure and at least two spacedapart frame members along a roof of the camouflage structure; and one ormore panels of mesh material of interwoven fabric configured to beattached between the at least two spaced apart frame members that arealong the side of the camouflage structure, said one or more panelscomprising: a first side with a camouflage pattern; and a second sidewith a dark color coating, said second side opposite to the first side;and one or more panels of non-mesh material provided along the roof ofthe camouflage structure and configured to be attached to the at leasttwo spaced apart frame members that are along the roof of the camouflagestructure to cover an area between the at least two spaced apart framemembers; wherein the one or more panels of the mesh material define anouter surface of the camouflage structure; and wherein the one or morepanels of non-mesh material are non-transmissive such that incidentradiation from an exterior of the camouflage structure is nottransmitted through the non-mesh material.
 2. The camouflage structureof claim 1, wherein the camouflage pattern comprises one or more inksubstances printed on the first side and the dark color coatingcomprises a second ink substance printed on the second side.
 3. Thecamouflage structure of claim 1, wherein the camouflage pattern is basedon an exterior environment where the camouflage structure will bepositioned to make the camouflage structure blend in with the exteriorenvironment.
 4. The camouflage structure of claim 1, wherein the darkcolor coating comprises a single color coating.
 5. The camouflagestructure of claim 1, wherein the mesh material is partiallytransmissive such that a portion of incident radiation from an exteriorof the camouflage structure is reflected off the camouflage pattern backinto the exterior, a portion of incident radiation from an interior ofthe camouflage structure is transmitted through the mesh material to theexterior and wherein a ratio of an intensity of the reflected portion toan intensity of the transmitted portion is above a threshold value suchthat an exterior of the camouflage structure is visible through thecamouflage material from the interior of the camouflage structure andthe interior of the camouflage structure is not visible through the meshmaterial from the exterior of the camouflage structure; and wherein thethreshold value is
 2. 6. The camouflage structure of claim 1, wherein afirst side of the camouflage structure includes a window that can beopened to provide a shooting position upon the approach of prey from thefirst side.
 7. The camouflage structure of claim 6, wherein a secondside of the camouflage structure includes a window that can be opened toprovide a shooting position upon the approach of prey from the secondside.
 8. The camouflage structure of claim 1, wherein the mesh materialis made of polyester material and an acrylic fiber.
 9. The mesh materialof claim 1, wherein the mesh material is a vinyl-coated polyestermaterial.
 10. The mesh material of claim 1, wherein the mesh material isformed by weaving yarn material.
 11. The camouflage structure of claim1, wherein the mesh material is partially transmissive such that aportion of incident radiation from an exterior of the camouflagestructure is reflected off the camouflage pattern back into theexterior, a portion of incident radiation from an interior of thecamouflage structure is transmitted through the mesh material to theexterior and wherein a ratio of an intensity of the reflected portion toan intensity of the transmitted portion is above a threshold value suchthat an exterior of the camouflage structure is visible through thecamouflage material from the interior of the camouflage structure andthe interior of the camouflage structure is not visible through the meshmaterial from the exterior of the camouflage structure; and wherein thethreshold value is
 1. 12. The camouflage structure of claim 1, whereinthe mesh material is produced by; printing the camouflage pattern on thefirst side of the mesh material using a first ink, and printing the darkcolor coating on the second side of the mesh material using a secondink.
 13. The camouflage structure of claim 1, wherein the second side ofthe one or more panels of the mesh material defines an interior of thecamouflage structure and the first side of the one or more panels of themesh material defines an exterior of the camouflage structure; andwherein the plurality of frame members are configured to form anenclosure that surrounds the interior.
 14. The camouflage structure ofclaim 13, wherein the one or more panels of mesh material provide a 360degree view of the exterior of the camouflage structure from theinterior of the camouflage structure.
 15. The camouflage structure ofclaim 1, wherein flexible frame members along the side of the camouflagestructure are interconnected with the one or more panels of non-meshmaterial along the roof of the camouflage structure.
 16. The camouflagestructure of claim 15, wherein the pop-up frame is movable from a foldedposition to a deployed position.
 17. The camouflage structure of claim16, wherein the one or more panels of mesh material are secured betweenthe at least two spaced apart frame members along the side of thecamouflage structure in the folded position such that when the frame ismoved from the folded position to the deployed position an exterior ofthe camouflage structure is visible through the one or more panels ofmesh material from an interior of the camouflage structure yet theinterior of the camouflage structure is not visible through the one ormore panels of mesh material from the exterior of the camouflagestructure.
 18. The camouflage structure of claim 1, wherein the framemembers have a variation in the spacing between the at least two spacedapart frame members along the side of the camouflage structure.
 19. Acamouflage structure comprising: a pop-up frame including a plurality offlexible frame members, said plurality of flexible frame memberscomprising at least two spaced apart frame members along a side of thecamouflage structure and at least two spaced apart frame members along aroof of the camouflage structure; and one or more panels of meshmaterial of interwoven fabric configured to be attached between the atleast two spaced apart frame members that are along the side of thecamouflage structure, said one or more panels comprising: a first sidewith a camouflage pattern; and a second side with a dark color coating,said second side opposite to the first side; and one or more panels ofnon-mesh material configured to be provided along the roof of thecamouflage structure and configured to be attached to the at least twospaced apart frame members that are along the roof of the camouflagestructure to cover an area between the at lease two spaced apart framemembers; wherein the one or more panels of the mesh material define anouter surface of the camouflage structure; wherein the camouflagepattern is based on an exterior environment where the camouflagestructure will be positioned to make the camouflage structure blend inwith the exterior environment; wherein the one or more panels ofnon-mesh material are non-transmissive such that incident radiation froman exterior of the camouflage structure is not transmitted through thenon-mesh material; wherein the camouflage structure includes a windowalong the side of the camouflage structure that can be opened to providea shooting position upon the approach of prey from the side; wherein thepop-up frame is movable from a folded position to a deployed position;and wherein the one or more panels of mesh material are secured betweenthe at least two spaced apart flexible frame members along the side ofthe camouflage structure in the folded position such that when the frameis moved from the folded position to the deployed position an exteriorof the camouflage structure is visible through the one or more panels ofmesh material from an interior of the camouflage structure yet theinterior of the camouflage structure is not visible through the one ormore panels of mesh material from the exterior of the camouflagestructure.